What to watch this week

The Late Late Toy Show RTÉ One, 9.35pm - Ryan Tubridy hosts the ‘Late Late Toy Show’ on Friday.

SATURDAY

Madagascar

RTE One, 6.35pm

I like to move it, move it. Chris Rock and Ben Stiller are among those providing the voices for this likeable animation from 2005.

Tomorrow’s Worlds: The Unearthly History Of Science Fiction

BBC Two, 9.45pm

First of a new four-part series in which Dominic Sandbrook looks at science fiction books, broadcasts and films. We hear about how the oceans provided inspiration for Avatar, why Ursula K Le Guin used the genre to capture the 1960s sexual revolution and how 2001: A Space Odyssey was so believable. Interviewees in this episode include William Shatner of Star Trek.

SUNDAY

Joe Duffy’s Spirit Level

RTE One, 7.05pm

West Cork-based Eilish O’Carroll is the sister of comedian Brendan O’Carroll and plays neighbour Winnie in Mrs Brown’s Boys. In this show, she talks about her beliefs and a life-path that has taken her from marriage and motherhood to fame, as well as from homophobia to falling in love with another woman in her 40s.

Cats and Dogs

TV3, 5.30pm

Children’s comedy from 2001 exploring the rivalry between the two groups of creatures in the title.

Fair City

RTE One, 8pm

There’s plenty of relationship strife in this week’s episodes, not least around Pete and Jackie’s divorce. It also gets even more complicated for Dan and Yvonne.

Wolly Mammoth: The Autopsy

Channel 4, 8pm

As science gets closer to the ability to clone a mammoth from well-preserved specimens found in Siberia, this show follows a team of specialists performing an autopsy on one of the extinct creatures, and looks at some of the issues in bringing them back to life.

World’s Greatest Food Markets

BBC Two, 9pm

Billingsgate fish merchant Roger Barton is in for quite a surprise as he travels to the Central de Abasto in Mexico City to do some business.

The Fall

RTE One, 9.30pm

We reach the half-way point in the six-part series with Rose Stagg still missing and Gibson ordering close surveillance on Spector’s family in the hope that they’ll lead her to the killer.

MONDAY

Ireland, What’s Next? The Housing Crisis

TV3, 9pm

The first episode of this new series on major issues in Irish society has Matt Cooper looking at the housing crisis the country faces following the bursting of the bubble. Prices are rising in many areas, as are rents, but there’s a real lack of investment in social housing to provide affordable options. What are the solutions?

Micky Flanagan’s Detour de France

Sky 1, 9pm

The final episode has the two bike-bound travellers tucking into the world’s most expensive soup, a bouillabaisse prepared by top chef Gérald Passédat, and also stopping off in Lourdes for some souvenirs.

Vikings

RTE Two, 9pm

The final episode in series two of a series filmed in Ireland. Fans will be relieved to hear that a third season is already in post-production.

Lights, Camera, Farrell! – Elections, Television And Irish Politics

RTE One, 11.15pm

Brian Farrell’s 2004 documentary looks back at some of the most memorable moments of Irish politics that were captured on live TV, from Jack Lynch’s resignation in 1973 to the announcement of the results which gave IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands a seat in Westminster in 1981.

TUESDAY

The Paedophile Next Door

Channel 4, 9pm

Steve Humphries looks at radical new measures being proposed in the UK to protect children from sexual predators, in particular schemes that encourage paedophiles to admit to their inclinations so they can be treated before they hurt anybody.

Fíorscéal

TG4, 10pm

Fascinating documentary from the front line of one of the major issues for European wildlife. Every year, thousands of songbirds are slaughtered in southern Europe, particularly in Cyprus, endangering populations for reasons of tradition and greed. Now birdlovers have taken matters into their own hands to try and thwart the trappers.

WEDNESDAY

The Apprentice

BBC One, 9pm

The remaining candidates are split into two groups: half try to sell products at an agricultural show, while others stay in London to pick out products for the rural market.

THURSDAY

Kitchen Hero: Donal’s Irish Feast

RTE One, 7pm

Skehan is in Ballintaggart House on the Dingle Peninsula in where he creates dishes using local beef, mussels and ice-cream.

Corp + Anam

TG4, 9.30pm

TG4 has impressed with An Bronntanas in recent weeks, and continues in crime drama mode with the second series. Maria Doyle Kennedy and Diarmuid de Faoite star.

Maia Dunphy’s What Women Want

RTE Two, 10pm

Dunphy looks at such issues as whether men and women really do shop differently, and also delves into the buzz of a bargain, the increase in online buying and other phenomena of the modern retail experience.

FRIDAY

Ireland’s Oceans

RTE One, 7.30pm

Repeat of the excellent show on dolphins in Irish waters, including the often unpleasant outcomes when these creatures begin to interact with humans.

The Works

RTE One, 8.30pm

Morrissey is on his way to Ireland for a gig, and also looms large in tonight’s show.

A Pink Floyd Miscellany: 1967-2005

BBC Four, 9pm

A compilation of clips from the British band through the decades. There’s also a documentary on the recording of their classic 1975 album, Wish You Were Here (11pm).

Play it Loud: The Story of the Marshall Amp (10pm) is another irresistible documentary for musos, as Pete Townshend, Lemmy and Slash contribute to the tale of the iconic amplifier.

The Late Late Toy Show

RTÉ One, 9.35pm

Ryan Tubridy dons his seasonal jumper for the sixth time and dives into the funnest and most popular TV show of the year. As well as the usual toy testers and musical interludes, there will be a tribute to the late Billie Barry, the founder of the Dublin stage school that provided so many of young talents to grace the show through the decades.